The latest release in the Classic Doctors, New Monsters range from Big Finish Productions features four episodes packed with adventure and star guests, in which Doctors from the classic run of Doctor Who are pitted against aliens from the post-2005 series. 

There’s a double bill of encounters with the shape-shifting Krillitane for the Second and Seventh Doctors, and an adventure with the Lupari for the Fourth. Then, the Eighth Doctor finds himself with a boyfriend – but how are the Monks involved in this relationship? 

Doctor Who – Classic Doctors New Monsters: Faithful Friends is now available to purchase as a collector’s edition 4-disc CD box set (+ download for just £29.99) or digital download (for just £22.99), exclusively here. 

The four monster mash-ups are: 

The Krillitane Feint by John Dorney 

The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe to a planet where a secure research base is conducting disturbing experiments. 

A group of captive Krillitane are test subjects for a military power, keen to understand the species’ unique abilities. But who are the real monsters here...? 

This story stars Michael Troughton, Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury as the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe, alongside guest cast David Carlyle, Jason Forbes, Amber Grappy, and Kiziana Jean-Louis. 

Michael Troughton said: “It’s a very unusual story, quite a challenge to play. The Krillitane are a nasty piece of work – you’re never quite sure what they are or what they’ve become.” 

The Dying Breed by Tim Foley

When the Doctor, Leela and K9 land on the Lupari homeworld tracking a temporal anomaly, they find a kingdom in disarray. 

The Great Lord Garzan’s son has been attacked, and strange beasts roam the frozen landscape. Whilst Leela spars with the new heir, the Doctor and K9 must work out how all these strange events are connected. 

Little do they know that their discoveries will shake the Lupari to their core... 

The Dying Breed features the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker), Leela (Louise Jameson) and K9 (John Leeson) encountering the Lupari, from 2021’s Flux. The Lupari Soothsayer is played by acting legend Miriam Margolyes, returning to Big Finish for the first time since 2009. 

On working with Tom Baker, Margolyes said: “I love Tom. He is an exceptional person and a wonderful actor. We’ve worked together before, but never in Doctor Who. He wanted me to be in Doctor Who on TV – he asked for me to be one of his sidekicks!” 

The episode’s guest cast also includes Peter Guinness, Selina Jones, and George Naylor. 

The Krillitane Relic by John Dorney 

The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Ray to a space station cryogenic facility, where interplanetary VIPs are stored pending medical cures. 

There is a familiar face here too – someone the Doctor remembers, but who does not remember him... 

The box set’s second Krillitane story stars Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor and Sara Griffiths as Ray (reprising the role from her 1987 appearance in Delta and the Bannermen), alongside guest stars Sheila Hancock (known to Doctor Who fans for the TV story, The Happiness Patrol), Colin McFarlane, and George Naylor. And Wendy Padbury makes a return as Zoe – but what brings her into the Seventh Doctor’s life? 

Sylvester McCoy said: “Wendy and I have become great friends in conventions over the years. But this is the very first time we’ve worked together. And it was just great – a lovely feeling, great chemistry.” 

Five Hundred Ways to Leave Your Lover by Tim Foley 

Chris is on a date. But it isn’t working out. Perhaps he’ll end it over dinner. Or on a cruise. Or in a lunar spa. But who are these figures in red? And why are they so invested in his relationship? 

All of reality might be at stake, and the Monks will pursue Chris wherever he goes – but as long as he manages to break up with his boyfriend, the Doctor, everything might be saved... 

This surprising story stars Paul McGann as the Doctor and Charlie Condou as Chris, alongside Andrew Hayden-Smith as Mark and Timothy Bentinck as the Monks (reprising their villainous role from 2017’s Doctor Who TV series). 

Paul McGann said: “I shy away from thinking of the Doctor as a romantic figure! But there is a romantic element in this story, which also has a touch of The Truman Show.” 

Doctor Who – Classic Doctors New Monsters: Faithful Friends is now available to own as a collector’s edition 4-disc CD box set (+ download for just £29.99) or digital download (for just £22.99), exclusively here. 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release. Please note: the collector’s edition CD box set is strictly limited to 1,250 copies and will not be repressed. 

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.